Making Positive Changes to Improve Omaha’s Health

Our community is facing a health crisis. Douglas County ranked 53rd of 78 Nebraska counties in a recent county health ranking. These rankings are based on how long residents live and how healthy they feel while they’re alive.

Many factors contribute to a community’s overall health, including overall quality of life; healthy behaviors such as diet and exercise; access to healthcare and mental health services; socioeconomic circumstances including poverty and broken families; and physical environment.

In 2010, the Douglas County Health Department, Live Well Omaha and various community partners began working together to improve Omaha’s health through two major initiatives: Partners for a Healthy City and Partners for Healthy Schools.

Partners for a Healthy City adopted by WELLCOM, works with businesses, community partners and faith-based organizations to implement policy changes and/or environment support to increase access to physical activity and healthy food and beverage choices.

Partners for Healthy Schools supported by Live Well Omaha, helps schools implement wellness goals into their current initiatives; form and support successful wellness committees; and integrate best practices for healthy, lasting changes.